Thai Temple Travel Guide

Thai Temple Travel Guide

     Buddhist temples in Bangkok and other provinces are popular destinations for Thai and foreign tourists.

     Because of the place's beauty and sacred value, visitors must be respectful and polite, but details may vary from place to place. Therefore, the recommendations for observances and prohibitions with regard to Thai temple etiquette – the ways to behave appropriately and properly – are explained below.

Clothes

     Dress politely when entering the temple; do not wear too loose or tight clothing. For example, long sleeves, trousers, or knee-length skirts should be worn. Visitors should not wear sleeveless tops, crop tops, or tight or revealing clothing, because dressing politely shows respect for the place, and it respects the feelings of persons who are there for spiritual purposes. 

Etiquette and precautions when entering Thai temples

1. Take off your shoes before entering the chapel or other buildings and place them on the shoe rack provided near the doorway;
2. Be mindful of your body, speech, and mind, and be calm when entering the temple grounds;
3. Turn off your mobile phone or put it on silent mode, preventing the phone from disturbing others who come to make merit, pray, meditate, or perform religious activities;
4. Keep quiet; do not talk or make a loud noise when walking around the temple or sitting in a chapel;
5. Keep the place clean, and dispose of garbage in the trash cans;
6. Buddhists pay homage to the Buddha and the monks in a humble and deferential manner, and non-Buddhists should behave respectfully and politely;
7. Do not take photos in prohibited locations, only in the places where it is allowed;
8. Strictly follow the temple's rules and regulations;
9. If you wish to take a photo of a Buddha image, do so calmly, politely, and respectfully.

Restrictions when visiting Thai temples

1. Smoking and other narcotic substances are prohibited inside the temple, to honor the place and respect Buddhism;
2. Do not write on, deface, destroy, or steal any property inside the temple, such as walls, murals, Buddha statues, or artifacts;
3. Do not simply point your finger at people or features, because it is disrespectful. If you want others to see the components of the temple, gesture with the whole hand, instead;
4. Do not step on the threshold – the raised lower edge of the doorway – inside the chapel or temple. It is believed that the raised threshold helps prevent evil from entering, and it is also a possession of the king or the gatekeeper;
5. Do not take photos of other people performing religious activities, making merit, praying, meditating, or other religious activities, because it is not allowed and it violates the privacy of others;
6. Do not take a “selfie” with a Buddha image, as it is simply disrespectful;
7. Do not sit on or climb historic sites within the temple, as it may cause damage to the buildings;
8. Do not sit with your feet pointed toward the Buddha or monks. Instead, bend your knees with your feet pointed backward or sit cross-legged;
9. Do not display inappropriate behavior, especially excessive love or explicit acts;
10. No gambling devices, drugs, or alcoholic beverages are allowed inside the temple grounds.